Sleep Deprivation and Posture

Sleep deprivation in horses is a serious welfare issue, and one that can easily be missed or mistaken for something else. In this episode, we unpack what normal sleep looks like in the horse, why REM sleep matters so much, and some of the reasons a horse may not be getting the rest they need.

We talk through the difference between standing rest, laying sleep, and REM sleep, and why the ability to comfortably get down to the ground and back up again matters more than many people realise. We also explore how pain, physical dysfunction, group housing dynamics, space, footing, and environmental stress can all influence whether a horse feels safe and able to sleep properly.

In this episode, we unpack:

This is an important conversation for horse owners because sleep deprivation is not just a behaviour issue. It is a welfare issue, and one that deserves attention when a horse is not coping physically or emotionally.

To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit:

Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics

Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com

To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg:

Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg

 Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about?

Email us at: [email protected]

Rebuilding Well: Bringing a Horse Back Into Work

Strap yourself in - this is an episode where you are going to want to take notes!

Today we are talking through how to bring a horse back into work without rushing the process and risking injury. Within 3 months of no work a horse's body looses their fitness. Fitness and strength is represented by physiological changes in the muscles and cells that increase energy storage, oxygen delivery and energy use efficiency. This lack of fitness means a loss of endurance, loss of strength, and reduced capacity to handle work safely. Today we aim to give you a specific roadmap including session length, intensity, frequency to bring your horse back into work safely!

This conversation is especially relevant for broodmares after a foal, or any horse coming back into work without an injury but with a body that still needs thoughtful reconditioning. It will be useful resource for every single person who rides a horse.

In this episode, we unpack:

To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit:

Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics

Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com

To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg:

Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg

 Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about?

Email us at: [email protected]

Episode 80: Guest Animal Communicator Trisha McCagh - What Horses Really Think

Trisha McCagh is a world renowned Animal Communicator  - she has communicated with almost all animals you can think of and has so many amazing stories as well as being recommended by Veterinarians!

Today we discuss the profound communication between humans and horses. Discover how animals reflect our purpose, teach us about authenticity, and share their wisdom through subtle behaviors and telepathic connection.

This conversation goes far beyond the idea of animals simply “behaving” or “misbehaving”. Trisha shares her perspective on animals as deeply aware beings who are constantly observing us, responding to our intentions, and communicating through emotion, behaviour, energy, and relationship.

In this episode, we cover:

If you have ever wondered whether animals are trying to tell us more than we realise, or how to build a quieter, more honest relationship with your horse, Trisha's knowledge will help you achieve just that.

You can find out more about Trisha McCagh at:

~  https://animaltalk.com.au/

~ Animal Talk Podcast With Trisha McCagh

Rehabilitating Tendon Injuries 

Tendon injuries can be one of the more frustrating and drawn-out issues to navigate. Many horse owners are given a basic plan of confinement and gradual turnout, but true rehabilitation needs far more. Today we unpack tendon rehabilitation from a whole-body perspective, including why these injuries happen, how posture and loading patterns influence healing, and why the quality of the rehab plan matters just as much as the diagnosis itself. Our most important takeaway - the tendon is usually not the primary issue!

In this episode, we discuss:

To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit:

Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics

Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com

To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg:

Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg

 Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about?

Email us at: [email protected]

Ready to create lasting change for your horse? Join the Equine Functional Posture course: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com/efp

Reading Sacro-pelvic Alignment (Before you blame conformation…)

The lumbosacropelvic area is one of the key regions involved in propulsion, swing, and hind end function, but it is also an area that is often mis-interpreted In this episode, we unpack how to begin reading sacro-pelvic alignment, what a more neutral and functional pelvis looks like, and why posture is so often mistaken for conformation.

In this episode, we discuss:

To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit:

Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics

Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com

To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg:

Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg

 Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about?

Email us at: [email protected]

A quick note about a breakthrough educational session: FREE Posture & Behaviour Masterclass - Is Your Horse Misbehaving OR Communicating?

Discover the hidden physcial issues behind 5 common "behavioural" problems - and how to solve them. 

Register now - Choose your time below;

Wednesday 18th March 8am Aus Daylight Time (Syd/Melb) -  Tuesday 17th 5pm EST, 2pm PST, 9pm GMT, 10pm CET

 Wednesday 18th March 8pm Aus Daylight Time (Syd/Melb) - Wednesday 19th 2am PST, 5am EST, 9am GMT, 10am CET

 The Pendulous Belly

We have all mistaken a very not-pregnant horse for one who looks ready to pop out a foal! A low, wide and swinging belly is something many horse owners notice, but often brush off as a 'hay belly', excess fat, or lack of fitness. Today we unpack what it can reflect about your horse’s core function, posture, movement, and internal health. We also explain actionable ways to support better abdominal function through movement, feeding, training - so your horse can look like a beach babe! 

In this episode, we discuss:

Common contributing factors including age, weakness, nutrition, parasites, metabolic issues, abdominal strain, tack fit, and post-partum changes

To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit:

Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics

Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com

To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg:

Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg

 Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about?

Email us at: [email protected]

A quick note about a breakthrough educational session: FREE Posture & Behaviour Masterclass - Is Your Horse Misbehaving OR Communicating?

Discover the hidden physcial issues behind 5 common "behavioural" problems - and how to solve them. 

Register now - Choose your time below;

Wednesday 18th March 8am Aus Daylight Time (Syd/Melb) -  Tuesday 17th 5pm EST, 2pm PST, 9pm GMT, 10pm CET

 Wednesday 18th March 8pm Aus Daylight Time (Syd/Melb) - Wednesday 19th 2am PST, 5am EST, 9am GMT, 10am CET

Lunging - Yes or No?

Not all lunging is equal - and we believe that it can be very powerful in the right context. Today we unpack how to move beyond “sending them 'round” and start using long lead work as a more supportive, thoughtful way to improve balance, posture and connection. 

We discuss how why rushing, falling out/in, bracing, or being completely automatic is useful feedback about how the horse is coping in their body. We also reiterate how lunging aids that shape the head and neck may create a picture in the moment, but do not create lasting postural change.

In this episode, we unpack:

Why lunging should be more than just “getting the fizz out”

The difference between automated movement and connected movement

Why small, uncontrolled circles can be a problem

The value of helping the horse find balance, body awareness and self-carriage

How supportive long lead work can improve observation, posture and pre-ride feedback

Why going slower, and going back to foundations, often gets you further

To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit:

Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics

Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com

To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg:

Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg

 Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about?

Email us at: [email protected]

 This week we are joined by Dr Jane Clothier (creator of The Horse’s Back blog and founder of Equine Healthworks) to unpack BEMER; (Bio-Electro-Energy-Regulation) - 
a low-frequency PEMF (Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field) device designed to support microcirculation and tissue function.

Dr Jane has a deep appreciation for functional posture. Her work aims to improve how the body self organises, to improve comfort and develop more sustainable movement patterns by helping to create the conditions in the body for the horse's own health to express freely.

This episode really explores how subtle healing can be. As Jane tells us: 'you don’t need a sledgehammer to crack a nut'.

We discuss:

You can find Dr Jane here:
https://thehorsesback.com/

https://www.facebook.com/equinehealthworks

To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit:

Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics

Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com

To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg:

Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg

Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about?

Erika Gough, equine Nutritionist from Inside Out Equine Health joins us for one of our most powerful conversations! We talk about how gut discomfort can show up in posture, movement, topline changes, and what you can actually do about it through practical feeding systems. 

This information is digestible (pun very intended!); we cover what amino acids are (and why they matter) and how the horse’s gut is designed to work best. Plus - the key nutrition pillars that support the horse for a vibrant expression of whole body health!

You can find Erika here:
insideoutequinehealth.com
[email protected]

To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit:

Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics

Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com

To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg:

Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg

Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about?

Forelimb Stay Apparatus: the system that lets a horse “lock out” the front leg for weight-bearing, sleep standing up, and absorb concussion on landing. If you’ve ever seen a knee buckle, a stumble, or a messy landing, this episode will help you connect the dots and gain practical solutions.

In this episode we discuss:

Thankyou to this episode's sponsor:

Dr Shelley Appleton of Calm Willing Confident Horses: https://www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au

Shelley offers clear, grounded guidance that helps people get unstuck, using a whole-horse view that supports behaviour, learning, and wellbeing. Programs, practical resources, and a membership community for horse owners. Use code RAQUEL10 at checkout to receive 10% of programs and resources

Website: https://www.calmwillingconfidenthorses.com.au

Contact:[email protected]

To learn more about Dr Raquel Butler visit:

Facebook: Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics

Website: https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com

To learn more about Sophie Vandenberg:

Facebook: Equine Posturelate - Sophie Vandenberg

Have any questions? Have a topic you would like to hear about?

Email us at: [email protected]